Combined troops of the 63 Brigade of the Nigerian Army, the Nigeria Police and Operatives of the Department of State Services have neutralised two suspected ESN/IPOB fighters.
This was as five others were arrested after a fierce encounter that took place on at Fuji Junction General Area in Asaba, Delta State, on Monday.
Director of Army Public Relations, Brigadier General Onyema Nwachukwu, stated in a release that the encounter followed distress calls that the community was under attack by the terrorists.
He added that the combined troops of security operatives swiftly responded to the distress calls and engaged the suspected ESN/IPOB fighters in a gunbattle.
“The terrorists succumbed to the overwhelming fire power of the combined troops after two of their members fell in the fire fight that ensued, while the survivors fled to their hideout around Okpanam River.
“The gallant troops in pursuit of the fleeing criminal elements, successfully trailed them to their enclave in a house around Okpanam River, where they were nabbed.
“The combined troops also recovered one AK 47 rifle, one Pump Action Semi Automatic Rifle, 15 live cartridges, one AK 47 Rifle Magazine and a Baofeng Radio Receiver,” Brigadier General Nwachukwu added.
The Nigerian Army, in the release, implored members of the public to continue to cooperate with the security agencies to fish out criminal elements among the.
This, it said, the public can do by providing actionable information to support the security operations to tackle security challenges.
Meanwhile, the Chief of Army Staff (CoAS), Major General Taoreed Lagbaja, has lauded the combined troops for their efforts.
The Army Chief also implored the combined troops to sustain the synergy, as they seek to restore peace and tranquility in the region.
